Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Do Sacramento Kings Want to Sign Russell Westbrook? Report Suggests of ‘Strong Mutual Interest’

Will Sacramento Kings sign Russell Westbrook ahead of the 2025-26 season?

Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Sacramento Kings are still interested in signing Russell Westbrook, and the former Denver Nuggets player is also willing to join the team. According to reports by ESPN’s Shams Charania, there is a strong ‘mutual interest’ between both the sides. Notably, the NBA 2025-26 season will begin in a few days, and Westbrook still remains without a contract. He decided to let go of his $3.5 million player option in Denver, but no team has stepped up with a suitable deal to replace it.

While the countdown for the upcoming season is on, there are reports that the Sacramento Kings could be his most likely landing spot. “I’m told there is strong mutual interest between Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings,” Shams Charania said on NBA Today. “And the Kings have a need for a reserve point guard. They were 29th in bench points, 29th in bench assists last season. Russell Westbrook helps with that, and he’s got relationships across that organization.”

Charania added, “Domantas Sabonis, he’s close with, played with him. He played with Dennis Schroeder as well, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine. They have L.A. ties as well. BJ Armstrong, the new assistant general manager there. He knows BJ Armstrong from the agency side, and he does have respect with Scott Perry, their new general manager, and Doug Christie, their new head coach. We’ll see if a deal gets done before the start of the season or during this upcoming year.”

Apart from the ESPN insider, Carmichael Dave also reported that there are 70% chances that Westbrook will join the Kings this year. Notably, the Kings don’t have a strong option for the backup point guard despite having a guard logjam.

They do have an open spot on the roster and are about $5.4 million below the luxury tax line. As for Westbrook, he averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game for the Nuggets. However, the biggest point of concern is his inconsistency and efficiency at this point in his career. He could fill a bench role, though.

Russell Westbrook Has Received Massive Offer from Overseas

Russell Westbrook might have a significant offer to play in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for part of the season. According to Carmichael Dave, the former MVP guard may have received an offer that could earn him nearly four-times of what NBA teams could offer him. Dave said, “I heard something from someone I trust enough not to blow off what they said: he may have an offer in China for about half a season—and it’s damn near quadruple what the Kings could offer him.”

Notably, the CBA’s foreign player salary cap is $4.25 million, but excess contracts are possible in case of additional taxes. Hence, per reports, clubs such as Shanghai Sharks, Beijing Ducks, Beijing Royal Fighters, and Shandong High Speed are interested in the NBA veteran. Moreover, the reports further suggest that the CBA wants Westbrook to be the center of the attack. If the NBA star heads to South Asia, then it will result in a huge boost in CBA’s revenue and popularity.

Russell Westbrook

Sacramento Kings

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.